By Javier Canales Vargas, Pulse staff writer
After nearly two years of renovation, the Ozuna Library and Learning Center reopened its doors this fall with many changes for students.
“People come and they look and they go, ‘Wow, it’s so different,’” said Christopher Delgado, director of Information and Communications Technology at Palo Alto College. Delgado is in charge of the purchasing and maintenance of technology on campus.
Additionally, Delgado played an integral role in the renovations of the Ozuna, contributing to details as specific as the color of paint used.
The Ozuna is the first energy-efficient building on campus. In the computer lab, located on the first floor of the main foyer, three times the number of computers occupy each power circuit, which consumes three times less energy than normal. This decrease in energy use literally puts the room at a colder temperature than the rest of the building.
The number of computers in the lab has more than tripled from its original count of 56 to 175, with the capacity to fit 200. The lab is primarily staffed by work-study students, and it can be used for research, assignments, checking email and playing games.
As of Sept. 30, students have benefited from extended lab hours now from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays.
“They don’t have to be rushed,” added Delgado.
Every morning, the library’s staff prepares for students to come in and begin working. The library, now located exclusively on the second floor, is open Mondays through Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., on Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sundays from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
“Our main focus is to serve our students,” said Circulation Supervisor Ana Rodriguez.
Rodriguez said students benefit greatly from the new layout of the library. Six individual study rooms are available for students who want to study independently and quietly. Six group study rooms are also available. All study rooms may be accessed by checking out a key at the circulation desk.
Students can also plug in to “personal pods” located in the common areas of the library. Rodriguez said many students come in just to relax in the library leisure room located next to the circulation desk.
“The space is really big,” said PAC student Keith Parsons. “It’s great that they have plugs near the study areas.”
Part-time Librarian Tosca Gonsalves said workshops are available throughout October and November to help students navigate all of the library’s resources. The workshops are free, and no registration is required.
The library keeps students updated on services and special events regularly through its social media pages, www.facebook.com/PacLibrary and https://twitter.com/paclibrarian, which are maintained by Gonsalves.
The Ozuna is also now home to the Gateway to College offices and seven classrooms located in the hallway adjacent to the computer lab on the first floor.
This spring, the Ozuna will open the doors to a café just opposite the computer lab. In addition, a family center and children’s library are expected by January 2014.
Delgado encourages students to provide feedback and recommendations relating to potential additions and further renovations. He may be reached at cdelgado@alamo.edu.
PAC Student Media 